Dosing valve and device for the output of a preferably cosmetic liquid

ABSTRACT

Proposed are a dosing valve and a device provided therewith for the dosed output of a preferably cosmetic liquid. The dosing valve is designed for pressurized filling between a cap and the dosing valve. In order to increase the dosing volume in a simple manner, an additional container connected to the dosing chamber of the dosing valve is provided which is disposed on the valve housing spaced away from the cap and/or has a section with an outer contour which tapers toward the cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dosing valve for the output of a preferably cosmetic liquid and a device with such a dosing valve and a method for the manufacture of such a dosing valve.

In the invention, the term “cosmetic liquid” is to be understood in its narrower meaning as cosmetics, hairspray, hair lacquer, a deodorant, a foam, a gel, a color spray, a sun or skincare agent or the like. In a broader sense, however, other body care products, cleaning products or the like, and even suspensions and fluids, particularly with gaseous phases, are also included. Moreover, other liquids, for example air improvers, and particularly technical liquids and fluids as well, such as rust removers or the like, can be used. Nevertheless, for purposes of simplification and in keeping with the emphasized utilization, the term “cosmetic liquid” is often the only one used in the following.

In order to fill containers with a cosmetic liquid under pressure, besides the so-called “undercup” method in which the filling takes place by lifting off or prior to the placement of a lid with a valve onto the container, i.e. before the final sealing of the container while bypassing the valve, the so-called “pressure filling” method is being used with increasing frequency, in which the filling takes place past the valve or its valve housing between the cap and an output-side seal element of the valve—optionally through the valve as well. The present invention only relates to such dosing valves designed for pressurized filling.

2. Related Art

A device for the dosed output and atomization of a cosmetic liquid is known from WO 2005/123542 A1 and WO 2005/123543 A1, respectively. The device has a container which contains liquid and is sealed with a cap. A dosing valve with a movable valve element in a valve housing is allocated to the cap. Together with the valve housing, the valve element forms an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The valve element is preferably provided with a stuck-on spray head or the like for the output and atomization of the liquid. By pressing down on the spray head, the valve element is moved axially, hence first closing the inlet valve and subsequently opening the outlet valve. Then the liquid, which preferably contains a propellant, can escape from a dosing chamber and is atomized by the connected spray head and emitted. The dosing valve or device is designed for pressurized filling.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,834 A discloses a device for the dosed release and, particularly, atomization of a pressurized liquid from a container via a dosing valve. However, the device or dosing valve is not designed for pressurized filling. Instead, the pressure valve is designed for filling using the “undercup method.” The dosing valve is held by a cap which seals the container. It has an inner valve housing which is enclosed peripherally by an additional dosing chamber that is bounded by an outer wall that reaches to the cap.

There is a need for a dosing valve that allows particularly for the enlargement of the dosing volume as needed while having a simple, cost-effective design.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One aspect of the invention consists in providing a dosing valve and a device for the dosed output of a preferably cosmetic liquid as well as the use of such a device and a method, wherein the dosing volume of the dosing valve designed for pressurized filling is enlarged with the use of a simple, cost-effective design and, in particular, while making use of existing valve constructions.

According to the proposal, the dosing valve has a fixed additional container which is connected to the dosing chamber and enlarges same.

According to a first aspect, the additional container is disposed on the valve housing such that it is spaced away from the cap.

According to a second, alternative or additional aspect, the additional container has an outer contour in one section which tapers toward the cap.

In this manner, an enlargement of the dosing chamber and hence of the dosing volume of the dosing valve is achieved in a simple manner, and the dosing valve is designed and suitable for pressurized filling despite the additional container.

A further aspect of the present invention which can optionally be implemented independently consists in providing the additional container with an ascending channel. This is beneficial in the event of the quick and/or complete emptying of the additional container, even with an overall large dosing chamber and dosing volume.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the present invention follow from the claims and the following description of two preferred embodiments and dosing on the basis of the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first proposed device with a proposed dosing valve for the dosed release of a cosmetic liquid with opened inlet valve;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional representation according to FIG. 1 with closed inlet valve; and

FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional representation of a second proposed device with closed inlet valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for same or similar parts, equal or comparable characteristics and advantages being achieved even if a repeated description is omitted.

FIG. 1 shows in a schematic sectional representation a proposed device 1 with a dosing valve 2 for the dosed release of a preferably cosmetic liquid 3 in the sense named at the outset or the like. Particularly, a release of the liquid 3 occurs via a spray head (not depicted) which is connected to the dosing valve 2—preferably stuck thereon—for the atomization and output of the liquid 3.

The liquid 3 is under pressure or can be placed under pressure. Particularly, the liquid 3 contains a propellant, preferably a volatile and/or combustible propellant, compressed gas, carbon dioxide, or the like.

The dosing valve 2 has a valve housing 4 which forms a dosing chamber 5 of the dosing valve 2.

Moreover, the dosing valve 2 has a movable valve element 6. In the depicted embodiment, the valve element 6 is movably guided axially—vertically in the representation according to FIG. 1—in the valve housing 4 and forms on the output side a protruding connecting piece 7 for connecting the spray head (not depicted) or the like.

The dosing valve 2 has an inlet valve 8 on the inflow side and an outlet valve 9 on the outflow side which are allocated to the dosing chamber 5 and/or are formed, particularly, by the valve element 6 and the valve housing 4.

Preferably, a return spring 10 is disposed in the valve housing 4 or dosing chamber 5 which is allocated to the valve element 6 and which pre-tensions the valve element 6 into the non-actuated position depicted in FIG. 1, here in an upwards direction. In the non-activated position, the outlet valve 9 is closed and the inlet valve 8 is open. In this state, the dosing chamber 5 is filled with the liquid 3 (this is not depicted in FIG. 1 for purposes of simplification).

Upon actuation of the dosing valve 2—which is to say the pressing-down of the valve element 6 against the force of the return spring 10—the inlet valve 8 is first closed and only thereafter is the outlet valve 9 opened. In this actuated state, which is depicted in FIG. 2, the liquid 3 located in the dosing chamber 5 can be output via the opened outlet valve 9, flow out on its own particularly due to the aforementioned propellant and be sprayed or atomized, for example, by the spray head (not depicted) connected to the connecting piece 7. Accordingly, upon each actuation, the dosing valve 2 outputs only a certain, that is to say dosed, quantity of liquid 3 which is determined by the volume of the dosing chamber 5.

When the dosing valve 2 is returned to the non-actuated position, the outlet valve 9 is first closed and then the inlet valve 8 is opened in order to allow liquid 3 to flow again into the dosing chamber 5.

The valve element 6 and the valve housing 4 are each preferably designed in a single piece and injection molded of plastic, particularly of a relative hard or stiff plastic such as polyamide or polyoxymethylene (POM).

In order to seal the inlet valve 8 in the closed state, a seal element 11 is preferably provided in addition between the valve element 6 and the valve housing 4 which is made of a softer or more elastic material than the valve element 6 and the valve housing 4. For example, the seal element 11 is injection molded onto the valve element 6, preferably directly in the injection mold used for the manufacture of the valve element 6 or in a separate injection mold. Alternatively, the seal element 11 can also be inserted, for example, as a pre-fabricated part into the injection mold and the valve element 6 can be injection-molded thereon or the seal element 11 can be stuck onto the pre-fabricated valve element 6.

The seal element 11 preferably has a lateral shoulder, particularly a ring flange 12 or the like, for fixing on the valve element 6, particularly where the shoulder or ring flange 12 is disposed between an abutment for the return spring 10 on the valve element 6 and the allocated end of the return spring 10 and is fixed by same. This enables a secure fixing of the seal element 11 on the valve element 6, particularly even if the seal element 11 is injection molded on the valve element 6, since with use of different materials a separation of the seal element 11 from the valve element 6 cannot always be completely ruled out.

It goes without saying that, as an alternative, the seal element 11 can also be disposed in a corresponding manner on the valve housing 4 and fixed thereupon.

The seal element 11 is preferably also injection molded, particularly from a suitable elastomer, preferably from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) manufactured under high pressure.

In the depicted embodiment, the outlet valve 9 has a separate seal element 13 which is particularly designed in the shape of a ring and is preferably held by the valve housing 4. The separate seal element 13 provides a seal radially to a shaft section of the valve element 6 or connecting piece 7. In the non-actuated state depicted in FIG. 1, the outlet valve 9 is closed so that, accordingly, no liquid 3 can exit from the dosing chamber 5 on the output side.

Upon actuation, the valve element 6 and the connecting piece 7, respectively, are displaced axially in such a manner that, after the closing of the inlet valve 8, a radial feedthrough channel 14 is moved past the separate seal element 13 into the inside of the valve housing 4 or into the dosing chamber 5, i.e. is released into the dosing chamber 5 (this position is depicted in FIG. 2). In this manner, the outlet valve 9 is opened, and liquid 3 can flow out of the dosing chamber 5 through the feedthrough channel 14 into an axial outlet channel 15 and through this and out of the connecting piece 7 into the spray head (not depicted) or the like.

After actuation is completed, the valve element 6 is moved again by the return spring 10 back into the initial position shown in FIG. 1. In so doing, the outlet valve 9 is first closed and then the inlet valve 8 is opened.

A cap 16 is allocated to the dosing valve 2 which bears or holds the dosing valve 2. The cap 16 forms a seal of a container 17 of the device 1. Particularly, the container 17 can be closed or is closed in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner by the cap 16 so that, after the pressurized filling explained at the outset, the liquid 3 is stored under pressure or can be placed under pressure in the container 17.

The cap 16 is joined to the container 17 in a conventional manner, for example by means of crimping. In this way, a corresponding opening of the container 17 is sealed.

The direction of actuation of the dosing valve 2 and/or the direction of movement of the valve element 6 and/or the longitudinal extension of the dosing valve 2 preferably run(s) in the central axis of the particularly essentially disc-shaped cap 16.

The dosing valve 2 is preferably disposed in the middle of the cap 16, particularly with the outlet side end of the valve housing 4. Especially preferably, the valve housing 4 is situated with one end area in a pot-like recess 18 of the cap 16 starting from the inner container space or the liquid side. In this mounted state, the dosing valve 2 or valve housing 4 tensions the seal element 13 axially or on its front face against a ring section 19 of the recess 18 of the cap 16 which encloses the connecting piece 7. This leads to an axial seal and supplies the desired gas-tightness between the dosing valve 2 or valve housing 4 on the one hand and the cap 16, particularly its ring section 19 on the other hand.

In the depicted embodiment, in order to make possible the pressurized filling described at the outset, the seal element 13 is preferably designed and/or positioned in such a manner that the seal element 13 is deformed from the outside under a commensurately large pressure load, that a desired filling between the cap 16, particularly the ring section 19, and the seal element 13—i.e. past the dosing valve 2 and its valve housing 4, respectively—can take place.

In particular, the valve housing 4 is supported directly on the cap 16 in order to pretension the seal element 13 in a defined manner and to make a defined opening during pressurized filling possible. Moreover, the valve housing 4 has corresponding outer channels in the area of the cap 16 in order to make the pressurized filling possible.

Preferably, at correspondingly high pressure, the device 1 is filled with a propellant (not depicted)—compressed or liquid gas, for example. The liquid 3 is preferably filled into the container 17 before the fitting of the cap 16. Alternatively, however, this can also take place together with the pressurized filling.

In addition, the dosing valve 2 can also optionally open during pressurized filling due to the large forces occurring, which is to say that filling can also take place through the dosing valve 2. This opening of the dosing valve 2 can be brought about, for example, by corresponding axial widening of the valve housing 4 and hence an opening of the inlet valve 8 in the non-actuated state shown in FIG. 1.

The dosing valve 2 is preferably provided with an inflow-side inlet or ascending duct 20—particularly a tube or the like—which is connected, for example, to an inlet port 21 of the dosing valve 2, particularly stuck into same and preferably held by clamping. The inlet port 21 is preferably shaped to the valve housing 4 or formed by same.

When the dosing valve 2 assumes the state again as shown in FIG. 1 after output has been completed, the opening of the inlet valve 8 results in liquid 3 flowing via the ascending duct 20 and the open inlet valve 8 into the dosing chamber 5 and filling same. This is brought about, particularly, by the pressure prevailing in the inner space of the container.

According to the proposal, the dosing valve 2 has an additional container 22 that is connected to the dosing chamber 5 and enlarging same. By means of the additional container 22, the dosing volume—i.e. the volume of liquid 3 that is output per actuation of the dosing valve 2—can be preferably increased to a total of 10 to 50 ml or greater.

The additional container 22 is preferably disposed on the valve housing 4 and/or inlet port 21 and preferably held exclusively by same.

The additional container 22 is preferably spaced apart from the cap 16. This is beneficial for unimpeded pressurized filling.

In the depicted embodiment, the additional container 22 is preferably constructed of several parts. Particularly, it displays a lower part 23 and an upper part 24, which are connected to each other tightly and pressure-tightly. Especially preferably, the two parts 23, 24 are connected to each other in a locking, clamping manner and/or through adhesion, welding or the like.

In the illustrated sample embodiment, the lower part 23 is designed to be essentially cylindrical or hollow-cylindrical and is connected at an axial end area 25 to a preferably flange-like area 26 of the upper part 24. Particularly, the two areas 25 and 26 are welded to each other, for example by means of ultrasound welding. In this case, the areas 25 and 26 preferably form continuous annular surfaces in order to press the two parts 23 and 24 axially together and, particularly, in order to be able to place on an annular ultrasound head. Alternatively or in addition, the two parts 23 and 24 or areas 25 and 26 can also reach radially above or behind each other, for example forming a clamping and/or locking connection or the like therebetween.

Alternatively or in addition to the spacing from the cap 16, the additional container 22 or its upper part 24 preferably has a section 27 with an outer contour which tapers toward the cap 16. This, again, is beneficial for pressurized filling that is as unimpeded as possible.

The section 27 tapering toward the cap 16 is preferably designed to be conical or bullet-shaped. However, other configurations and shapes are also possible here.

Particularly, in order to avoid an impeding of the pressurized filling due to the formation of a restricted point, a provision is made that the additional container 22 neither seals nor reduces the pot-like recess 18 of the cap 16 on the inside end facing the annular section 19 and, particularly, the annular space formed there between the valve housing 4 and the recess 18.

Especially preferably, the additional container 22 adjoins the valve housing 4 exclusively on the inlet-side of the valve housing 4 and/or on the side thereof opposite the cap 16 and preferably extends from there exclusively away from the cap 16.

Preferably, the additional container 22 and/or the valve housing 4 is/are essentially rotationally symmetrical, cylindrical and/or oblong in design.

The additional container 22 preferably encloses the valve housing 4, the inlet port 21 and/or the ascending duct 20 peripherally, annularly, cylindrically and/or radially.

The additional container 22 preferably consists of the same material as the valve housing 4 or of a material which is compatible therewith.

A particular advantage of the proposed enlargement of the dosing volume of the dosing valve 2 by means of the additional container 22 consists in the fact that the actual construction of the dosing valve 2 remains more or less unchanged. Particularly, it is possible to use the additional container 22 only for a variant of the dosing valve 2 with an enlarged dosing volume. Essential parts such as the valve element 6, the valves 8, 9 and the seal elements 11, 13 remain completely unchanged here. The valve housing 4 merely requires a relatively minor modification in order to bring about the necessary fluid connection between the inner space of the additional container 22 and the dosing chamber 5. Particularly, the valve housing 4 has at least one connecting channel 28 for this purpose, preferably several connecting channels 28 distributed over its entirety, in order to achieve a sufficient flow cross-section. Depending on the flow cross-section, the output behavior of the dosing valve 2—particularly the output duration or output rate with open dosing valve 2—can also be influenced or set.

The additional container 22 changes nothing about the function and use of the dosing valve 2. On the contrary, the dosing chamber 5 additionally made available by the additional container 22, just like the dosing chamber 5 located exclusively in the valve housing 4, is filled with the liquid 3 and propellant and the like in the non-actuated state depicted in FIG. 1 and finally emptied together with the dosing chamber 5 upon actuation according to FIG. 2.

Especially preferably, the additional container 22 is has a fluid connection to the valve housing 4 or its dosing chamber 5 in such a manner that a good filling and emptying takes place with the liquid 3. Particularly, the additional container 22 has a fluid connection for this purpose to the end of the dosing valve 2 opposite the outlet valve 9, to the valve housing 4 or to the dosing chamber 5.

With the use of a modification, a provision can be made to make it possible to selectively open and interrupt the fluid connection between the additional container 22 and the dosing chamber 5. This can occur, for example, by means of a valve (not depicted) or through corresponding construction by twisting the additional container 22 relative to the valve housing 4 for the selective releasing and blocking of the connecting channels 24.

In the depicted embodiment, the additional container 22 is preferably designed at least essentially as a double-walled hollow cylinder.

In the depicted embodiment, the additional container 22 or its lower part 23 preferably has one or more, particularly preferably radial, ribs or intermediate walls 29 which reinforce and/or divide the additional container 22.

The volume of the additional container 22 is preferably at least as large as the volume of the dosing chamber 5 formed solely by the valve housing 4, especially preferably at least twice as large or larger by a factor of 5 or even larger.

According to a first variation of the embodiment, the additional container 22 is designed as a separate part, particularly an injection-molded part, and/or is designed to be rigid. It is then preferably mounted and snapped onto the valve housing 4 and/or the inlet port 21 for example, by means of a snap-in bracket, snap-in shoulder, radial shoulder 30 formed outside on the connecting port 21, or another snap-in recess—or clamped on, or molded on or injected in place.

In the depicted embodiment, the additional container 22 is preferably held primarily by the inlet port 21—particularly by a snap-in and/or press fit. Alternatively or in addition, the additional container 22 or its upper part 24 has a connecting area 31 adjacent in particular to the section 27 which, particularly, has a hollow cylindrical or tube-like shape and is pushed up onto the valve housing 4. The connecting area 31 may be used for additional supporting of the additional container 22 at the valve housing 4.

Especially preferably, the connecting area 31 is connected to the valve housing 4 in a pressure-tight or at least largely gas-tight manner, for example by means of a radial press fit and possibly in addition by means of a seal or the like (not depicted).

Moreover, a pressure-tight and, particularly, gas-tight seal is formed between the additional container 22 or its lower part 23 and the connecting port 21, optionally by means of a seal or solid connection.

In this manner, the desired fluid connection of the additional container 22 to the dosing chamber 5 or to the at least one connecting channel 28 is made possible.

Preferably, the additional container 22 is inseparably connected to the valve housing 4, particularly through welding, adhesion, force fit and/or form fit.

According to a variation of the embodiment that is not depicted, the additional container 22 is formed in a single piece with the dosing valve 2 or valve housing 4 or injection-molded thereon or formed thereon in some other manner.

FIG. 3, in a schematic section corresponding to FIG. 2, shows a second embodiment of the proposed device 1 and the proposed valve 2, respectively. In the following, only essential differences vis-à-vis the first embodiment are emphasized, so that the previous explanations and comments are preferably to be considered as being corresponding or supplementary.

In order to support an at least essentially complete emptying of the additional container 22 upon opening of the outlet valve 9 and/or to optimize the output behavior—particularly with respect to the discharge rate—the additional container 22, according to a second embodiment, is preferably provided with at least one ascending channel 33. In the depicted example, the ascending channel 33 is formed between a preferably hollow-cylindrical or tube-shaped section 32 and the preferably hollow-cylindrical or tube-shaped inner wall 34 of the additional container 22 or lower part 23. The ascending channel 33 is hence particularly designed as an annular channel. The ascending channel 33 extends axially from the at least one connecting channel 28 at least essentially to the other end of the additional container 22 or lower part 23, preferably in the axial direction with respect to the ascending duct 20 or the direction of motion of the valve element 6.

The volume of the ascending channel 33 is preferably as small as possible. Accordingly, the radial spacing of the section 32 to the inner wall 34 is relatively small. Particularly, the remaining volume of the additional container 22 is many times larger than the volume of the ascending channel 33.

In the depicted example, the ascending channel 33 encloses the inner wall 34, the ascending duct 20 and the connecting port 21. However, the ascending channel 33 can also be designed in another manner, for example merely as an ascending duct or by several individual channels or the like.

Alternatively, the ascending channel 33 can also run along or adjacent to the outer wall of the additional container 22 or be formed therein.

The ascending channel 33 leads, particularly, to a more complete and/or faster emptying of the additional container 22 during the output of liquid 3.

The proposed device 1 or the proposed dosing valve 3 can be used quite universally, for example for filling with foam or filling with a defined, relatively large quantity of liquid 3 or a foam or the like formed therefrom.

INDUSTRIAL USE

The dosing valve according to the present invention can be used universally, particularly in order to emit in a dosed manner, and preferably atomize, a hairspray, a hair lacquer, a deodorant, a foam, a gel, a color spray, a sun protection agent, a skincare agent, a cleaning agent, a cosmetic agent, an air improver, a construction foam or an adhesive. Especially preferably, the dosing valve is used for the dosing of larger volumes. 

1. Dosing valve for the dosed output of a preferably cosmetic liquid under pressure, with a valve housing which forms a dosing chamber of the dosing valve, wherein the valve housing can be supported on the outlet side onto a cap for pressure-tight attachment to a container storing the liquid and wherein the dosing valve is designed for pressurized filling, with the dosing valve having a rigid additional container which is connected to the dosing chamber and enlarges same.
 2. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container is designed as a separate part.
 3. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the dosing valve has at least one of the following: valve element, inlet valve or outlet valve.
 4. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container is stuck, snapped or clamped onto the valve housing or formed or injection-molded thereon.
 5. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container is connected inseparably to the valve housing, particularly by means of welding, adhesion, press fit and/or form fit.
 6. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container is designed in a single piece with the valve housing and/or is injection-molded onto the valve housing.
 7. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container and/or the valve housing is/are designed to be at least essentially rotationally symmetrical, cylindrical and/or oblong.
 8. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container encloses, peripherally, cylindrically or radially, the valve housing, an inlet port of the dosing valve and/or an ascending duct which is adjacent thereto on the inlet side.
 9. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container is adjacent to the valve housing at the end of the valve housing on the inlet side and/or the end of the valve housing opposite the cap and extends away from the cap.
 10. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container is disposed or arranged only on the inlet side of the valve housing and/or is spaced away from the cap.
 11. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container has a section with an outer contour which tapers to the outlet-side end of the valve housing or toward the cap.
 12. Dosing valve according to claim 1, wherein the additional container has an ascending channel.
 13. Dosing valve according to claim 12, wherein the ascending channel is designed in an annular ring shape and/or is disposed within the additional container.
 14. Device for the dosed output of a preferably cosmetic liquid, with a container that is sealed by a cap for the liquid and a dosing valve which is attached to the cap, wherein the dosing valve is designed for pressurized filling, wherein the dosing valve has a valve housing with a dosing chamber for the dosing of the liquid, wherein the dosing valve has a rigid additional container which is connected to the valve housing in order to enlarge the dosing chamber.
 15. Device according to claim 14, wherein the container can be filled or is filled by means of pressurized filling with the liquid and/or a propellant, particularly gas.
 16. Device according to claim 14, wherein the container contains one of the following: hairspray, hair lacquer, deodorant, foam, gel, color spray, sun protection agent, skincare agent, cleaning agent, cosmetic agent, air improver, construction foam or adhesive in the form of a liquid.
 17. Method for the manufacture of a dosing valve which is designed for pressurized filling, with a valve housing and an additional container disposed thereon, wherein the method comprises the following steps: preparation of the valve housing with a dosing chamber formed therefrom for a liquid or a mixture of liquid and propellant; preparation of an additional container; and connection of the additional container with the valve housing or an inlet port of the valve housing for enlarging the dosing chamber.
 18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the additional container is mounted onto the valve housing or the inlet port.
 19. Method according to claim 17, wherein the additional container is snapped onto the valve housing or the inlet port.
 20. Method according to claim 17, wherein the additional container is clamped onto the valve housing or the inlet port. 